The bullying investigation process is initiated as soon as a complaint or allegation of bullying is received. Teachers and staff members are required to report acts of bullying.

The school administration is notified of the bullying complaint. The complaint is entered and the parents of the alleged victim and perpetrator are notified. The administrator begins investigating the events.

The target, perpetrator and witness (if applicable) are interviewed.

All information for the entire process will be documented.

Administration will review information and determine if the bullying claim is valid.

Keep in mind that even if a behavior was not considered to rise to the level of bullying, it may still require intervention and discipline.

Parents of all students involved will be informed of the incident and whether the complaint was determined to be bullying or not.

A safety plan may be reviewed.

Consequences will be assigned as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Targets of bullying will not be punished.

Rights to appeal are explained to all parties.

Retaliation against students who report bullying will not be tolerated.

Contact: Campus Counselors

When a student or group of students engages in a single significant act or a pattern of acts directed at another student that exploits an imbalance or power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that occurs on school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by the District and that:

1. Has or will physically harm a student, damage a student’s property, or place a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property;
2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
3. Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or
4. Infringes on the rights of the victim at school; and
5. Includes cyberbullying

Bullying that is directed at another student through the use of the Internet or any electronic devices. Cyberbullying, even if it originates off campus or outside of a school-sponsored or school-related activity, may be subject to discipline if it interferes with a student’s educational opportunities or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a classroom, school, or school-sponsored or school-related activity.

Conduct directed at a student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, disability, or on any other basis prohibited by law, that adversely affects the student.

Physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct based on the student’s perceived or actual sexual orientation, or the student’s failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity.

Physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct based on the student’s race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law that is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that the conduct: 1. Affects a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity, or creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; 2. Has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with the student’s academic performance; or 3. Otherwise adversely affects the student’s educational opportunities. Prohibited harassment includes dating violence as defined by FFH (Local).

Conduct by a student or District employee that is directed toward any person who makes a good faith report of bullying or harassment, who was alleged to have experienced bullying or harassment, or who serves as a witness or participates in an investigation of such conduct. Examples of retaliation may include threats, rumor spreading, ostracism, assault, destruction of property, unjustified punishments, or unwarranted grade reductions. Unlawful retaliation does not include petty slights or annoyances.

Sexual harassment of a student by a District employee includes both welcome and unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; sexually motivated physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct; or other conduct or communication of a sexual nature when: 1. The employee causes the student to believe that the student must submit to the conduct in order to participate in a school program or activity, or that the employee will make an educational decision based on whether or not the student submits to the conduct; or 2. The conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it: a. Affects the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity, or otherwise adversely affects the student’s educational opportunities; or b. Creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or abusive educational environment.

Sexual harassment of a student by a student, includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or sexually motivated physical, verbal or nonverbal conduct when the conduct is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it: 1. Affects the student’s ability to participate or benefit from an education program or activity or creates an intimidating threatening, hostile or offensive educational environment; 2. Has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with the student’s academic performance, or 3. Otherwise adversely affects the student’s educational opportunities.